AN historic building was left gutted after being engulfed by flames in an early morning blaze yesterday.

The fire ripped through the empty mansion – formerly Soldier’s Point Hotel in Holyhead – leaving 20 firefighters battling the blaze for more than 12 hours.

Developers who hoped to turn it into a maritime museum say they are “extremely saddened” by the fire but still intend to use the site for a museum as part of a waterfront redevelopment.

Firefighters were called to the empty building in the Soldier’s Point Quay area of Holyhead at 5.39am.

Crews were still fighting the blaze and damping down yesterday evening.

The cause of the fierce blaze in the property, said to be used by homeless people, is unknown at this stage.

A North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the incident command vehicle and the aerial ladder platform from Bangor were used. Four crews were called from Holyhead, Rhosneigr and Llangefni.

A spokesman for Conygar Stena, who own the property, said they were “extremely saddened” by the news of the destruction of the building.

“The derelict Soldier Point Hotel and immediate surrounding site was already earmarked for a new maritime museum and associated visitor attractions in the Congyar Stena Holyhead Waterfront development plans. Despite this setback the company remained committed to these plans.”

The spokesman added: “We are very grateful to theŠFire Service and other emergency services who responded quickly to the incident and we are very pleased no one has been injured.

“Action is being taken to secure the site and to establish the position as regards the structure that is still standing. Discussions in this respect will be ongoing with theŠIsle of Anglesey Council.

“In the meantime we urge all members of the public to refrain from going to the site.”

Anglesey councillor John Chorlton called the blaze “unfortunate”. He said: “It has been semi-derelict for a number of years. It’s an unfortunate incident because it was quite a smart building. It could have been returned to its original state with some money and I understand that that was going to happen.”

He added: “How badly damaged it is I don’t know. The heat could have affected the structure and it may have to be demolished. It’s a case of wait and see.”

Mayor of Holyhead Cllr Jeff Evans called for the building to be made more secure and for its future to be determined.

The Holyhead Town Councillor, who remembers going to concerts and weddings there 30 years ago, said it is now becoming a “blot of the landscape”.

The fire-ravaged site was originally the house of the contractor who built the harbour breakwater.

It became a hotel and a lady later lived there for several years.

Owned by the Stena-Conygar consortium, it is part of a controversial redevelopment of the Newry Beach waterfront.

The regeneration of Holyhead Waterfront is a joint venture between Stena Line and The Conygar Investment Company PLC.